HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5931

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators von Reichbauer, Gaspard, McCaslin and McMullen)

Creating an amateur athletics commission.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, O'Brien, Rector, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Amateur Athletic Act of 1978, which regulates many amateur athletic events, established the United States Olympic Committee and national governing bodies for each official Olympic sport.  The national governing bodies must approve events if they are to be considered Olympic-level competition.

Amateur athletic events are often promoted and organized by private non-profit organizations, frequently with corporate sponsorship.  Spokane's Bloomsday Run, Seattle's Emerald City Marathon, and the Goodwill Games are examples in Washington of major events run by non-profit organizations.

At the state level, the Centennial Commission in 1986 created the Washington State Games Foundation, a non-profit organization charged with the responsibility of preparing for the Centennial Games.  Members of the Foundation were appointed by the Governor.  Two additional non-profit organizations are responsible for daily administration of the summer and winter Games, their board members appointed by the Mayors of Wenatchee and Spokane.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Amateur Athletics Commission is established.  The Commission has seven public members appointed by the Governor and four legislative members from each caucus of the House and Senate appointed by legislative leadership.  There are also four ex officio members:  the Directors of the Department of Trade and Economic Development, the Department of Community Development, and the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Commission's purpose is to develop, sponsor, promote, and administer activities and projects which foster and develop amateur athletic contests and events in the state, including annual or biennial winter or summer games.

The Commission may employ such staff as are necessary, and the Governor shall designate other agencies' staff to provide additional support.  The Commission may receive and expend funds from federal, corporate, or private sources for the encouragement and promotion of organized amateur athletic contests and events. It is the Legislature's intent that the Commission be self-supporting and not rely on state funds.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Peter von Reichbauer, prime sponsor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Amateur athletics raise young people's physical fitness, bring tourism to the state, and stimulate local communities.  There are similar programs in 30 other states, funded by private sources.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.